Weather Forecast

The victims of the fire that hit urban poor areas in barangay 9 and Punta Tabuc here will be relocated and they will have their dwelling place in San Jose in two months, complete with facilities.

The National Housing Authority said the affected folks can permanently occupy the relocation site in Barangay San Jose in two months on request of Department of Interior and Local Government secretary Manuel Roxas II.

Secretary Roxas is flexing his muscle to tap his "connection" in Manila to help his province-mates, according to Mayor Angel Alan B. Celino. We must be thankful to Roxas, the mayor said.

Roxas, a native of this city, visited the affected areas on Monday. He arrived onboard a private plane at about 3 p.m. bringing in a P1million donation from the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Chito Cruz, NHA head.

One hundred eighty six families lost their houses to the blaze, record from the City Social Welfare and Development Office showed. "I will personally see to it that (the relocation site in Barangay San Jose) will have amenities like water and electricity," Roxas said.

The relocation site was a partnership between the city government and the National Housing Authority (NHA).

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Region 6 has distributed relief aids – foods, mats, blankets and T-shirts – to the fire victims, who were temporarily housed in the Dinggoy Roxas Civic Center.

Roxas also asked the agency to prepare 2,000 foods packs for the affected families.

He told the victims that they may vacate the Civic Center and temporarily move to Braveville Compound, another NHA housing project in Barangay Lonoy, before transferring to San Jose.

Roxas said the victims may no longer return to the fire-hit area as it's already considered a "danger zone."

He ordered Superintendent Julio Gustilo Jr. city police director, to cordon the site and ensure no one builds a house there.

Source: Gerry T. Pagharion (photos by Roxas City Press Bureau)(With a report from DSWD-6 and John Heredia)